He started that war for dubious reasons. He could have negotiated his way out of it. If only he had given the process more time. He thought it would be over quickly and he convinced most citizens of the US that it would be over with soon as well. The military has been so bogged down that they can't seem to get anywhere. Every time there is a victory, the people rise up and, even though outnumbered and outgunned, cause heavy caualties and demoralize the troops. And the troops! The only reason they are there is because they couldn't afford, or their families couldn't afford, to buy their way out! This whole thing is just a mess. It looks like the only way out is to call in some old friends, like the French, and have them help us negotiate our way out. We can then get out, leave those poor people in peace, and let them get on with their lives. We will NEVER be able to bring our brand of Democracy to that region!

On top of that, the President's opponent is a military man, very familiar with what it takes to run an army. Unlike the president himself, who only had very limited military experience. The opponent is well spoken and well educated. The President is a bumbling fool who is made fun of by leaders from around the world and influential members of his own party. His cabinet members are the ones running the show, and his Secretary of State is obviously the smartest one of the bunch.

We have to elect the Democrat. Its the only way we will ever get this thing settled.

Reason #1430045 to hate Bush: He has taken all the fun out of sarcasm and irony.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

"re"- elect?

Are you talking about Lincoln and the Civil War?

Are you talking about Lincoln and the Civil War?

1864, and his opponent was George McClellan. The country was anything but united in support of the war, and there was a very good chance that Lincoln would lose the election. There was a popular movement for the negotiation of peace with the Confederacy, and the recognition of their government, so that the Army could come home and the bloodshed would end. There was also a great deal of protest with regard to members of Lincoln's administration and their heavy handed tactics. Edward Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War, made John Ashcroft look like a Quaker.

Lest the point of this post be lost to the less thoughtful, to Judge George Bush's record on the war against terrorism and its long-term effects by looking at events today is an injustice. Had Lincoln caved in to popular opinion, we would now likely be two countries. But he followed through with what he believed was the right and proper course, seeing the war to its end and saving the Union.

George Bush is not Lincoln, and we will not know the true effect of the prosecution of this war for years to come.

Past Presidents have done many unpopular things that at the time a great many people disagreed with. I just don't think that comparing the underlying reasons for the civil war and the Iraq invasion are quite on the same level.